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[theprissythumbelina]

WIP Questionnaire

Tagged by @tabswrites thank you!

1. What is the first part of your WIP that you created?

I remember writing for my undergrad writing group a story about a young woman in a dusty little town dealing very calmly and gently with a zombie invasion. I don't remember if she was a necromancer at that point, or just a person that dealt with what needed to be done.

2. If your story was a TV show, what would the theme song/intro be?

Easiest and cheesiest, an iteration of O Death. I first heard it from Until Dawn and it's based on an old American folk song. It just fits so well.

3. What are your favorite characters that you made? Why?

I love both my girls equally yet differently. Nicolette is the most like me of any oc, and the one that most distinctly represents a point of time in my life. Alyss is the most fun to write and the most interesting, because I don't always know how she will react to situations. Sometimes she just goes wild and I have to figure where to go next.

4. What other pieces of media do you think your fan base would share?

I have absolutely no clue, I'm just gonna say things I like that inspired Mortal Sparks. Good Omens, All Quiet on the Western Front, Lord of the Rings, Howl's Moving Castle.

5. What has been your biggest struggle with your WIP?

Writing the damn thing. I'm trying to get my Masters and then my PhD, I have to do research and fieldwork, I teach at the university and I train horses. My days are booked.

6. Are there any animals in your story? Talk about them!

Potentially, I may bring back a demon in the form of a cat, but currently not really.

7. How do your characters get around? (Ex. Trains, horses, cars, dragons, etc.)

Trains and ships, primarily. Cars are for rich people.

8. What part of your WIP are you working on right now?

Yes

9. What aspects (tropes, maybe) of your WIP do you think will draw people in?

The plot and story is driven by yes, grief, on some level, but primarily by the exploration of what it means to live. Death is intimately familiar for both characters, one being a necromancer and the other a soldier, but both of them have been so caught up in death that they have lost their ability to live and find meaning in life. So its about death, and war, and devastation on personal and large scales, but most of all its how the characters deal with that loss, and what value life and living actually holds.

10. What are your hopes for your WIP?

I'm writing this thing because I have something to say. I hope someone else can read it too some day.

Tagging @thetruearchmagos @cowboybrunch @dyrewrites @bargainbincheeseinbincheese

[theprissythumbelina]

WIP Questionnaire

Tagged by @winglesswriter here!

Gently tagging: @bee-barnes-author @mysticstarlightduck @mister-writes @pandoras-comment-box @ahordeofwasps @theprissythumbelina and an open tag. Blank questions below the cut!

For the Guardians of Eternity Series:

1. What is the first part of your WIP that you created?

The initial idea was about a magical bear of some sort that would appear and guide people to a magic forest. The story grew from that one idea.

2. If your story was a TV show, what would the theme song/intro be?

Instrumental, for sure. I really like Bear McCreary (Outlander, Godzilla, Rings of Power, etc.) and Lorne Balfe (His Dark Materials, Wheel of Time), so I’d be happy with any composer with similar vibes.

3. What are your favorite characters that you made? Why?

My creatures! My cute little guys 💜 I love them so much. But I love each of my MC’s equally—it’s impossible for me to choose. I’d say I have the most fun with Adrin, but my best writing is with Hettie.

4. What other pieces of media do you think your fan base would share?

If you like anything character-driven with found family, magical creatures and fantasy worlds where nothing is ever what it seems, you’ll vibe with me. I’ve taken inspiration from a lot of my fave shows/books, so there’s something for everyone.

5. What has been your biggest struggle with your WIP?

Everything. Tomb of Light is the first novel I have ever attempted to write, and the first time I’ve written fantasy. It’s hard to know when to let loose and when to pull back—which is how I’ve learned that I am an underwriter. Big time.

6. Are there any animals in your story? Talk about them!

Creatures!!! Hell yeah! I made a post here about them.

7. How do your characters get around? (Ex. Trains, horses, cars, dragons, etc.)

By foot or by horse (except Adrin, who is afraid of horses. He walks everywhere. Like a fool.)

8. What part of your WIP are you working on right now?

I have started outlining and writing the sequel to ToL, The Forest’s Embrace! In addition, I am also working on ToL’s first round of edits (which is very hard without alpha readers).

9. What aspects (tropes, maybe) of your WIP do you think will draw people in?

I have a hero to antagonist arc that is essentially an exploration of grief following trauma and a toxic relationship. That is what I think will help my story stand out from other fantasy stories—the magic is really just an instrument that helps the characters heal. (That is the most boiled down explanation I can give.)

10. What are your hopes for your WIP?

I would love to query ToL by 2025 and have it published within the next few years. For right now, I just want more people to connect with the story and see it for what it can be one day.

1. What is the first part of your WIP that you created?

2. If your story was a TV show, what would the theme song/intro be?

3. What are your favorite characters that you made? Why?

4. What other pieces of media do you think your fan base would share?

5. What has been your biggest struggle with your WIP?

6. Are there any animals in your story? Talk about them!

7. How do your characters get around? (Ex. Trains, horses, cars, dragons, etc.)

8. What part of your WIP are you working on right now?

9. What aspects (tropes, maybe) of your WIP do you think will draw people in?

10. What are your hopes for your WIP?

[theprissythumbelina]

There's a cat on my head and a cat on my feet. I really need to pee and I can't feel my toes.

[theprissythumbelina]

Character Quote tag

Or Personality Through Quotes Tag, or Character Voice Tag, or Characterization Through Quotes, I'm not entirely sure what this tag is called

Tagged by @illarian-rambling thank you!

Rules: Make up a quote from your character following your prompt!

My prompt: A quote about death

Your prompt: A quote about a pet/animals

--------------------------------------------------------

Nicolette: Death is a transformation, that's all. The last transformation, and the one we all share. I don't really believe people fear death. I think they fear change, and they fear losing. They avoid it so they don't have to think about it. And because they don't think about it, they get more afraid. People would fear death less if they knew it better.

Alyss: Nonsense and nothingness, peaceful and passing. I imagine. Like sleeping without nightmares or dreams. I know it plenty well enough to hate and miss it. The before isn't pretty. But after, well, you don't care much at all, do you? That's the nice thing about being dead.

Tagging @amaiguri @kaylinalexanderbooks @awritingcaitlin and @winterandwords

[theprissythumbelina]

[theprissythumbelina]

Lightning hit right above me and triggered an insta-migraine

which for all the reasons in my life I have had a migraine

is a pretty fucking valid one

[theprissythumbelina]

Grew up with a cheese drawer. Hated the cheese drawer. Do not have a cheese drawer.

Things I’m learning about All For the Game fans: a lot of y’all didn’t grow up with a cheese drawer in your fridge and it shows

[theprissythumbelina]

If you are also up for doing the not-so-nice asks; secret, nightmare, monster

If not, disregard

Here I am, fashionably late...? Apologies, life's been hectic but I really appreciate asks :>

Secret: What's one secret your OC never wants anyone to know about them? Monster: Is your OC monstrous in any way? Is there something that makes them monstrous? Are they aware of their own monstrosity? Do they accept it or reject it? 

I noticed while writing that Veril is a good character for both of these!

There are many secrets that he has been ordered to keep for the sake of his own family AND for his own sanity. In spite of the importance of this set of knowledge, though, he would have little to no problem with sharing it with the right people. There is a more personal thing that he’s been terrified to explore lately that he would rather die than acknowledge in front of anyone: while his mother’s absence still hurts a lot and in many ways, he can’t help but feeling some form of relief now that she’s gone.

While certainly no one can read his mind, he’s afraid that such an ugly feeling might find an outlet in his manners or his words. After all he’s supposed to feel devastated for what happened but, while to a huge extent he certainly does, freedom from certain expectations tastes miserably sweet.

In order to keep in check that lingering feeling of being a monster, he started performing a few personal acts of grief, such as leaving wildflowers in front of the little Rubira’s aeduculae that line certain roads, as if there was a quota to fill everyday. Does this make him feel any better? Sometimes. Is it healthy? Definitely not.

Nightmare: What does your OC have nightmares about? How do they deal with their nightmares? Do they tell people, or keep it to themself?

Kibas has been having frequent nightmares since his parent's death. His dreams seldom are a reenactment of the incident, more often than not they come as a jumble of distressing events he can barely remember when he wakes up. He doesn't like talking about the incident specifically, but he has no problem with looking for friends and family when he needs a little cheering up.

[theprissythumbelina]

Oh this is fun. And also not too hard, since sometimes as a teacher I do have to talk about some things for an hour on a dime.

Might freak some people out but the most recent subject I rambled on about for an hour or so was Cannibalism, with a special mention to the Kuru disease. I think its very interesting. My students' opinions were varied.

Horse stuff. Any horse stuff. I will and have trapped people in conversation for hours.

Ethics. Why are things right and wrong? Let's discuss.

Painting

Linguistics

If you see this, tagging you! (open tag)

I saw this meme going around on twitter and I think it'll be perfect for this account.

List 5 topics you can talk on for an hour without preparing any material.

[theprissythumbelina]

Happy Worldbuilding Wednesday! Do your characters have any particularly interesting fashion choices? What are they and why?👔🥻👘👗👚🛍

Magic users in Mortal Sparks tend to find themselves wearing particular colors in association with their magic type. This is an in-world excuse to make Alyss wear black at all times. She is a fire witch, and her clothes are all either black or dark colored so that ash doesn't show up as much. It is also common in Mortal sparks for people, especially women, to wear gloves, but again as a fire witch, Alyss cannot. Or rather, she can, but she would go through them at a ridiculous rate. Alyss stands out as well because, as a former soldier, she prefers to wear trousers and shirts rather than dresses.

[theprissythumbelina]

Out of context

Thanks @cwritesfiction here!

Well it seems like another good time for SOTL!!

From School of the Legends Year One

“Well that explains the constant shock,” said Ritchie. “And the thunderstorm fetish.”

Tagging @illarian-rambling @mk-writes-stuff @elsie-writes @televisionjester @finchwrites @theprissythumbelina @thepeculiarbird @leahnardo-da-veggie @sarahlizziewrites @melpomene-grey

[theprissythumbelina]

The spider crab! And I love the blue tones everywhere.

Worldbuilding in 5

Thank you @anyablackwood for tagging me, even if it was forever ago! I'm trying to get back on top of things and catch back up! "Rules: post 3-5 images of a place in your world and tell us a bit about it."

After the fall of Old Thuille, a city-state secluded in the mountains rose in its place. A home to Noble Mages escaping the Saegen markings who could carry on the legacy of Old Thuille. Or so they claim. Their hot springs, rich mineral resources for an easy industrialization, and their affinity for magic has prepared for the return of their Emperor. However, quite often, their hubris gets the best of them...

Nouveau Thuille is very cold and only gets sun twice a day -- at dawn and dusk, when it can creep in during the sides of the mountain. It snows year round, but the hotsprings ensure that humans can actually survive here somewhat reasonably. While humans cannot drink the hotsprings water directly, their animals can and humans have learned to purify it further since -- as well as melt snow and ice for their water.

You've reminded me now that I need to do fashion sketches for the people of Thuille. I've had their fashion the most defined and least changed since the beginning and I gotta come back to it... O_O

Here's a bonus picture of their food:

Gently passing this one on to @zebee-nyx, @the-ellia-west, @maiemorrae, @pluttskutt, @theprissythumbelina, @thepanplate, @dragonprincedawn, @cee-grice, @maskedemerald, @the-down-upside-finch, @galacticsand, @reaperofcrows, and @moonfeatherblue :DDDD

[theprissythumbelina]

That last sentence though, that's funny

ROY G BIV tag game

Thank you @oh-no-another-idea for the tag! <3

Rules: Search your WIP for the colours of the rainbow and post the excerpt

Soft tagging: @megarywrites @blue-kyber @emelkae @romances-not-tragedies @theprissythumbelina and OPEN TAG should anyone wish to join in ^^

Will be taking them from 3 of my WIPs: Home, And They Were Roommates (ATWR), and The Revenged (TR).

Red (Home)

“Is he going to survive?” She asked again. She stared at him, her large hazel eyes boring hopefully into his. Ka’il wasn’t an expert on humans but he felt she couldn’t have been much older than Miriel. “If he lives through the night and we can keep infection away, probably.” Determination entered her eyes. The same look Miriel got when she wanted to help, wanted to do tell the world she would do what seemed impossible. “Then he will make it through the night.” Ka’il smiled at her. His first smile since before Laitae broke into his world. “Anyone would with you near, little one.” He couldn’t resist ruffling her wild red-blonde hair. She glared at him and smoothed out her hair. “I’m twelve,” She pointed out. “Oh, practically an adult. No wonder you were a good apprentice.” Ka’il said, half-jokingly. The girl beamed at him.

Orange & Yellow (TR)

“My father had her built just last year after our last ship became too damaged to float. The plan is that after this trip is over, she will be mine.” Nahuel looked at the ship with pride. A pride Shuntala felt was deserved as she took in the frigate in front of them. Natural medium wood shone through a thick coating that protected it from the dangers of the sea, a swirling line of orange and pink painted flowers decorated the top of the hull and curled around bright yellow lettering that gleamed on her aft. The Rising Sun’s rays danced and reached for the flowers circling them.

Green Emerald (TR)

She moved her attention from the fingers lightly touching her wrist to his emerald eyes. She relaxed a little. “Now,” he muttered to himself as he pocketed the salve. Shuntala looked back at her arm as he slowly unwrapped it. Stitches lined her cut. An angry redness partly ringed it. She flinched as he gingerly touched it. “Sorry,” He said. “I’ll have to talk Saavin into coming back.” Shuntala looked back at his eyes as he concentrated on re-wrapping her arm then looked to his ears. What she realized should have been elongated was cut off, thick scars marking the end.

Blue (ATWR)

Once again Takashti found himself in the girls’ room. It hadn’t been his prerogative but resisting a fresh changed Jayme— now wearing pastel blue and sequined sandals— was like flying a kite in a hurricane. Not even Nim said anything as she rolled her eyes as he was dragged into their domain. “You’ve been acting strange, Jayme.” Nim suddenly said as they watched Cris yeet some large and rather ugly character off the stage. “Sheik remains undefeated!” Cris cried out as she held her hands up. “Which one of you losers want to try their hand?” “I’m not acting strangely,” Jayme replied. He grinned at Nim. “Jayme is acting like Jayme. It’s Takashti’s turn!”

Indigo Cobalt (TR)

Shuntala sipped on the water and examined the sword. The rich, cobalt blue hilt looked more like it belonged to an aristocrat than a pirate. Then, perhaps, this Wulf had murdered the Lord or Duke who had commissioned it? She sat the half-empty cup down and picked up the sword. She unsheathed it part way and turned it, eyes wide as she watched the blade catch the light. Nahuel had basic sword knowledge, so she hadn’t been taught much but she could tell that it was taken care of. She noticed some letters hidden just below the hilt. She squinted, making them out. HRH AW? She stared at the letters, eyebrows creased. Was that a maker? A title?

Violet (ATWR)

Takashti was nearly ready for sleep by the time Jayme came in and crashed half onto his bed, face buried in his violet comforter. “Rough day?” Takashti asked as he tossed his laundry into the light green basket by the bathroom door. Jayme moaned. “Did you get her highness settled down?” Jayme moaned again. “Did you tell her about your brother?” Jayme turned his head so he could look at Takashti. “It wasn’t the right time.” Takashti rolled his eyes. “If we all waited for the right time to share bad news we’d still be waiting for an official statement on The Titanic.”

[theprissythumbelina]

Aww I don't liek chemical weapons

@theprissythumbelina

By the way, if you're thinking that post-'Clique' Nouvoloian colonialism is bad, some of the ideas I've had in mind for the People's Republic of Griffmark in Terror Immortal (Gustav's second WIP) make them look downright pleasant.

After all, barely any chemical weapons get used in Pasiphae!

[theprissythumbelina]

Have I been spelling cemetery wrong my entire life

[theprissythumbelina]

happy international mother language day

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, it goes to his heart.” - Nelson Mandela

what's the first language of your OCs? what does it mean to them if someone speaks it to them?

[theprissythumbelina]

I asked my former host mother if she knew of somewhere I could stay while I was in her city for research.

Immediately

I received a barrage of texts followed by a phone call in very fast Spanish

"What do you mean somewhere to stay, do you not want to stay with me, I still have your room, your old bed, all your things-"

So I get to stay with my old host mother and I'm very happy